karlos-alastruey Reviews

Kryfi foni (2020)

A truly deep cinematic experience in less than three minute

[10/10 · 9 May 2023]

This is a superb work by Greek filmmaker Ifigenia Dimitrou. With just a handful of paramount takes, and a very few elements, this filmmaker creates a new universe of her own, and the viewer really is carried out and experiences deep material and spiritual feelings at once: being by the sea, hearing the waves, touching the water, observing the reflecting light - intertwined with memories, regrets, and other wonders of which this film is rich.

Dimitrou knows how to move the camera around (this is an identifying characteristic along her filmography) in order to enhance the experience of the public.

A captivating art work condensed in a few moments, this is really the expression of all the sensitivity of a unique filmmaker.

Interstellar (2014)

Paramount work. An instant classic

[10/10 · 12 November 2014]

In my view, 'Interstellar' is among the best films ever made. It is a story about the search for your own destiny and identity. In this case, that search is embodied in a handful of travelers, but they represent the entire human race.

Whoever is not touched by the greatness and delicacy of this work, might remain untouched by films such as Kubrick's 2001 or Tarkovsky's Solaris. On their respective premieres, both films were also heavily criticized by many people. In fact there are fruitful connections among those three movies. Here we could note two points:

• The Tars robot as a symbol of the monolith that Clarke created for Kubrick, becomes a world cinematographic icon.

• The final return to home, now plasterboard, is the utter loneliness of the traveler, as reflected in Tarkovskian Solaris.

To make profit of watching this film, the viewer should have an active attitude. Any artwork needs to be recreated in the viewer and by the viewer. So overcome your own schemes and expectations.

Verbo (2011)

profound and sensitive look at the teenage soul

[9/10 · 5 November 2011]

This is a noteworthy film. The movie is more complex and rich that you can think just by a shallow or quick consideration. This film calls for meditation and careful consideration. It is not only a reflection on the teenage struggle for identity. It is also a serious declaration about the vacuity of contemporary society, and how urban culture is in many occasions the ultimate refuge to look for spiritual feed and support. It is not a pretentious film, rather it is a sincere one.

Graffiti and hip-hop are not simple hobbies, the film tells us, but - as a cultural expression - they constitute an emanation of the human soul trying to make their way from the depths of this diminished world to the arena of the people's consciousness. This idea is used in the image system of the film when one sees graffiti extending on the city walls coming from the soil.

The use of animation with a Japanese look in some sequences of the film is really beautiful and coherent with the overall work.

The acting of the lead actress Alba Garcia is well done and fits in the structure of the film.

The directing is both creative and effective. I hope this filmmaker can make his way to get his second feature done in a near future. More films like this are needed.

Eva (I) (2011)

Amazing first feature film by Kike Maillo

[9/10 · 30 October 2011]

I watched this film today at the movie theater. The film is beautifully acted and directed. I am very glad to see that in Spain we have new filmmakers able to work within the film industry and still make a great film in the cinematographic sense.

"Eva" is far more profound than the trailer or the publicity may suggest. It is a deep reflection on human nature and identity. But, and here comes the surprise, it is not a so-called intellectual film.

The film is very well done, and it is an example of a new wave of European cinema that is producing great films without necessarily big fireworks. Keep doing the good job, Kike.

Paper Prince (2007)

Excellent low budget film

[9/10 · 20 October 2011]

I had the privilege of watching this film as a Jury member at Roshd Film Festival, 2008. The movie rapidly captivated my attention. The plot and full story are very funny, realistic and full of human quality.

It is especially interesting the acting of the leading actress Milica. She is very young in this film, but she has a great potential for acting and was well directed.

This is a film I recommend, if you are really interested in the cinematographic dimension and not so much in big fireworks and effects. Of course you should take into account that this is a low budget work, and therefore it has some technical limitations. I wonder what would be the result if they had enough money.

Keep doing the good work.

Inside Job (2010)

Powerful film identifying the roots of the global financial crisis

[9/10 · 26 April 2011]

This is a courageous film. You can feel it by the way interviews are done, always trying to push their atmosphere a little bit forward to an uncomfortable point.

The director does a comprehensive work of documentation and reasoning, so a lot of times the interviewed people who feel "caught" by the filmmaker's questions try to answer back, but they fail because they have no real argument except the "this question is too complex for you to understand" cliché.

An excellent, intelligent and very well done and directed documentary. Worth the time to watch it, to re-watch it, and to think about its conclusions.